Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-02-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Feb. z, Il

AS to what Congress is doing and
talking about in these last weeks of
its life might be mentioned hun
dreds Of things if space permitted.
The latest legislation of importance
includes nearly hundred pension
bills, the measure prohibiting Con-
gressmen from acting as attorneys
for railroads, and some of the regu-
lar appropriation bills, which al.
ways provoke debate. There were
some interesting debates during the
week on the subject of reducing the
" surplus millions" by building ships
and coast defenses, on the impro-
priety of Congressional funerals at
public expense, on the perfect pro.
prlety of giving congressman clerks
at public expense, and there was a
political discussion sprung in which
Democratic Senators INDUCED in a
criticism of the Administration
Mr.. Kelly Of Penn, who is the
oldest member OF the House of Rep
resentatives, spoke in favor of the
bill authorizing the appointment
and prescribing the compensation of
clerks to Senators and Representa-.
tives who are not chairmen of COM
mittees as we'll as to those who are.
Speaking from twenty six years.
experience be said he had year
after year paid from his salary 5000
for such services as he was obliged
to employ a clerk to perform. He
was now paying gentleman 500 a
month out of his salary, and be be-
lleved if his constituents knew the
sacrifices he had made to serve
them they would shock the public
sense by making up fund to re-
imburse him.
Mr. Kelly emphasized the fact
that he did not want a clerk to help
him get offices. He had declined a
denomination in 1866 until a plank
was put in the platform that he
should not be expected to seek to
administer the minor Offices Of the
government. For eighteen years
his constituents had elected him
with increasing majorities because
they found him serving the general
interest of the people and leaving
the offices to the care of those to
whom the Constitution and the laws
confided them.
Representative Curtin, the old war
governor of Penn, also bore testi-
mony to the laborious round of a
Congressman's life. He was going
out of Congress, but he was glad
of an opportunity, before he went
to fire one stern gun in justice to
those who would come after him.
Mr.. Randall and Speaker Car
Isle have been in correspondence
more than a week about the tariff
but the last letter left both wings Of
the party almost as far apart as
ever on the question. Should they
finally harmonic sufficiently an
other effort Will be made during the
week to get the question of revenue
reduction before the House. II
would fail, of course, as usual, and
that would end the matter for this
session.
The President has received g
large number of kilograms and let
ters endorsing his action in the case
of Mr.. Mathews, and the latter gen
tleman is also the recipient of ex
pressions of sympathy from differ
ent parts of the country. 1t i;
impossible to make a color issue out
of the rejection of the Presidents
appointee for Recorder of Deeds
either against the Senate or agains
the Republican party. There was
nothing like party vote. Boil
Democrats and Republicans voted
against the nomination.
Senator Vance, Of North Caro-
lima, Il Democratic member of the
District Committee, SAID 81 voted
against Mathews because he was ;
negro et-bagger, and | dom
care who knows it," Much curiosity
is shown to know what the Presi
dent will do about the matter next.
There is no foundation for the re
port of a formal movement lcokins
to the impeachment of Secretary
Manning. Sufficient strength coul(
not be obtained in a Democrat,
House if such an attempt wer,
made. But the extreme silver mel
and greenbackers have for months
been outspoken in their hostility t.
Mr.. Manning's policy, and have re
peatedly asserted that the Treasur,
Department, under the presen
regime, persistently violates the law
in reference to silver purchases ant
small note issues.
| 1t seems to be understood tina
Secretary Manning will soon retire
from the Cabinet and many believ,
that the Treasury portfolio will b.
offered to Minister Pendleton, "gen
tlemen George" who has just re
turned to the United States from
Berlin. There is great deal o
gossip to this effect, and the fac
that Mr.. Pendleton returned at tn
request of the President give
additional weight to the possibilitie
in his case.